The model, revealed in Geneva soon after the premiere appearance of the twin-turbo petrol V6-powered LS500 in Detroit, is a further manifestation of how Lexus has reimagined the luxury saloon, presenting brave design, exhilarating performance and a sophisticated appeal to capture the imagination of forward-thinking, younger customers.
The car’s design successfully brings together the virtues of a long-wheelbase four-door notchback with a low, coupe-like profile, positioning the LS perfectly across the two growing saloon and coupe segments.
The cabin has benefitted from an equally new approach, focusing on “progressive comfort,” interpreting Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship traditions in the context of an advanced, luxurious and innovative vehicle interior, such as the original door trim ornamentation.
The LS500h is equipped with the new Lexus Multi Stage Hybrid System, a technology that transforms the performance and appeal of hybrid driving by providing improved responsiveness and more rewarding, linear acceleration, particularly when moving off from stationary. At the same time, the inherent fuel-and-emissions efficiency of Lexus Hybrid Drive has been further improved.
The powertrain features a 3.5-litre V6 Dual VVT-i V6 petrol engine and two electric motors, together delivering maximum system power of 354bhp.
The LS500h is built on the new Lexus Global Architecture-Luxury (GA-L) platform, which ensures a low centre of gravity and optimum weight distribution, contributing to the car’s essential stability and handling agility, which in turn deliver increased driver rewards. The fundamental high rigidity of the chassis allows the new multi-link suspension to be tuned to achieve great handling performance and the supreme comfort for which the LS is renowned.
The car’s dynamic performance benefits also from the coordination of braking, steering and stability systems through Lexus Dynamic Handling.
Advanced technologies are further used to deliver impressive safety performance. The LS500h’s Lexus Safety System+ package additionally includes a new advanced safety system, which features the world’s first intuitive pedestrian detection function with active steering, among other innovative technologies.
Omotenashi, expressing the unique sense of Japanese hospitality, defines the LS500h’s whisper-quiet and luxurious interior. Supreme comfort is provided by front and rear seats with multiple power adjustment, heating, cooling and massage functions. There is also an optional rear seat arrangement that includes an extending leg ottoman and the most generous legroom of any LS generation.
Notably, the new LS500h is longer even than the current long-wheelbase LS, and the wheelbase has been increased from 3090mm to 3125mm.
Lexus Takumi craftsmanship also contributes to the special quality of the LS500h’s cabin, in luxurious new trims, materials and detailing, including a new pleating treatment and Kiriko glasswork on the inner door panels.
Lexus LS500h chief engineer Toshio Asahi explained: “Developing such a flagship model required a massive paradigm shift. Rather than being bound by the conventions that had defined luxury cars in the past, we aimed to create a car with innovative, emotional and sensual appeal that would draw customers’ eyes away from other luxury cars and provide entirely new values.” 
Lexus delivered over a million hybrid cars from 2005 to 2016.
